A number of years ago, I received an e-mail with a link to a website where just by clicking a little square, the sponsoring merchants donate money to be used for breast cancer research. I thought that was a great idea and added the site to my “favorites.” Every day for weeks, I visited the site and clicked on the appropriate square. How good it felt to help with that cancer that had destroyed my friend Darlene’s life.
Gradually, however, I visited the site less and less until one day, I completely forgot about it altogether. It was not because I didn’t feel the same about the disease. It wasn’t because I intended to neglect such a simple way to help. Other interests, other duties just crowded it to the back of my mind until now I can’t even remember the website address. (My old computer crashed wiping them and a lot of other data out.)
How often we do the same in a spiritual sense. When we first hear the Good News of Salvation, our heart is thrilled. We determine to follow our Lord for the rest of our life. We vow to let nothing to get in the way, but as time goes by, our “first love” (Rev 2:4) begins to dim, other interests creep in, old habits begin to return, old desires strengthen until we settle down into a routine of “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Tim 3:5
Our Dear Saviour spoke concerning this tendency we all have: “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” Later, He explained this parable to His disciples, “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matt 13:3-8, 18-23
Jesus declared, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt 24:13 Paul speaks of this enduring, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor 9:24-27
May we be “good ground” hearers allowing nothing to come between us and our Redeemer. May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” always asking ourselves the question, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” 2 Peter 1:10; Heb 2:3 May we ” lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 12:1,2
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/dyoLuMD8pPY/gods-grace-gives-power-to-overcome.html